The classical world lost one of it's finest this week.
When I attended Fleisher's 90th birthday recital in his home town of San Francisco two years ago, I had a close-up view of his hands at Herbst Theater. I could tell how much his ring finger and pinky (fingers 4 and 5 to pianists) involuntarily curled up while he played. Ironic that I had the exact opposite problem with the same two fingers. I couldn't get mine to curl. I watched as he stretched them open before he played the Chopin Nocturne in D flat so beautifully. I sat in my seat, stretching my same two fingers open.
Hearing him perform with one and two hands was breathtaking. The Debussy, Chopin, and Mozart he chose were probably easier on his right hand. Gone were the days of him performing the robust, demanding Brahms D Minor Piano Concerto. But, did he really care? On the large screen during intermission, I read these words.
That was my reminder to just make music with my heart, no matter what the program or what accommodations I needed to make for my right hand. No matter what I played, if my heart was all in, the music would reach out to the hearts of others.
This week's Facebook Live, Saturday night at 6 Pacific on my Facebook Page, is in memory of Leon Fleisher, playing music for two hands I studied with him long ago, and music for left hand only inspired by him.
“Play every note as late as you possibly can, without being too late.”
Leon Fleisher
R.I.P. Leon. Somewhere over the rainbow, I hope you're playing your beloved Brahms D Minor Concerto again, without any physical limitations and your right hand wide open. Play on!
Lovely post. Thanks, Lisa.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it Edwin.
Powerful compassionate heart felt tribute. Beautiful share to the world.
Aw, thanks Teresa. It’s easy to write about someone who was such a gentle, wise soul.
Inspiring! Thanks for this reminiscence of the maestro, Lisa!
You’re welcome Tom. Glad you found it inspiring.
What a heartfelt connection you had with him Lisa. He will live on musically with in you.
Thanks Candace. I’d be very fortunate if he does. I will certainly do my best to remember his teachings.
I did not know much about him. Recently, Yuja Wang posted an old video of him instructing her in a master class session. Listening to his teaching methods, I can see that he was a remarkable man and musician. Your article is a nice tribute to him. RIP Mr. Fleisher.
I did not know much about him. Recently, Yuja Wang posted an old video of him instructing her in a master class session. Listening to his teaching methods, I can see that he was a remarkable man and musician. Your article is a nice tribute to him. RIP Mr. Fleisher.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt connection to his story! I am inspired to learn more about Mr. Fleisher.
Thanks Shelly. Glad you enjoyed it. His memoir was really fascinating, especially reading it as a musician. He described his relationship to certain pieces of music so well that I felt like I was getting a private lesson with him.